The Adirondack Northway (I-87) routing through the Adirondacks was a wonder of mapping. It provided a full-interstate quality route through a mountainous route, while only requiring a 254 acre taking of forest preserve lands in 1959.
The Northway runs through three state forest preserve lands that had to be condemned to run the Adirondack Northway. Planners avoided this except where absolutely necessary to avoid having to level entire mountains.
Taylor Pond Wilderness /
Pok-O-Moonshine Mountain.
The Northway parallels Route 9 as it starts climbing into the Adirondacks, taking about 10 acres of the preserve.
Lincoln Pond Campground.
It follows along Lincoln Pond Road to a flat section known as Five Mile Meadows, probably originally cleared by logging. This probably is a 5-15 acres of taking.
Dix Mountain Wilderness /
Hammond Pond Wild Forest.
This is the largest taking around 200 acres, in a flat section of the Adirondacks around Underwood. Again, it’ parallels a section of US 9.
Other then these three parcels, no other land condemned in the Adirondacks where State Wild Forest. A remarkable routing!
